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COVID-19: Protecting Our Healthcare Workers and Patients

Protecting our health as frontline workers is essential to ensuring we have a strong foundation to support our patients and the public health of our community. 

Thousands of SEIU 521 healthcare workers are on the frontlines battling tirelessly against COVID-19.  And many of us have family and friends who work in other healthcare jobs – some union, some non-union.  Below is information that should help everyone working on the frontlines in this crisis be safe.  We all need to share the information widely and make sure that we all do our part to make sure health care workers stay safe and healthy through this crisis. That means:

If you see something, say something.  Healthcare workers should let management know immediately if  proper procedures aren’t being followed and involve their steward and/or internal organizer immediately if the situation is not resolved.

SEIU 521 members and fellow union locals across the state are calling for immediate improvements to the supply of (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment across the country. It is urgent that the federal, state and local governments including private employers keep health care workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New! Hotels for Health Care Workers

Via: https://covid19.ca.gov – Starting April 10, frontline health care workers who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19 can find hotel rooms through the CalTravelStore. Call 1-877-454-8785 to validate your eligibility and make your reservation. If hotels want to participate, they can email covid19lodging@dgs.ca.gov.

Q: What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?ย 

A: Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as “PPE”, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that may cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.

Q: How do I put on personal protective equipment?

A: While your employer is required to provide training on how to use PPE, here is the CDC’s instructions on this topic.

Q: What are the state requirements for protecting employees from COVID-19?

A: Click here to viewย the CAL/OSHA standards that all employers are required to implement to protect their workers. This includes providing PPEs and trainings related to the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Q: What can I do to optimize the supply of N95 respirators in our healthcare facilities?

A: The CDC strategies toย optimize supplies of N95 respirators in health care settings when there is limited supply are available here.

Q: What can I do to optimize the supply of face masksย in our healthcare facilities?

A: The CDC strategies toย optimize supplies of face masks in health care settings when there is limited supply are available here.

Q: What can I do to optimize the supply of isolation gowns in our healthcare facilities?

A: The CDC strategies toย optimize supplies of isolation gowns in health care settings when there is limited supply are available here.

Q: What can I do to optimize the Supply of Eye Protection in our healthcare facilities?

A: The CDC strategies toย optimize supplies of eye protection in health care settings when there is limited supply are available here.

Q: What should healthcare workers know about caring for patients with COVID-19 infection?

A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a series of recommendations for healthcare workers on following topics:

1) How you can protect yourself
2) Environmental cleaning and disinfection
3) When to contact Occupational Health Services
Q: What is your risk exposure level at work, and what can we do about it?
Q: How should I interact with confirmed COVID-19 patients or persons with symptoms?
A: Click here to learn what you should know about interacting with confirmed COVID-19 patients, persons under investigation (PUIs) and asymptomatic close contacts at their home or non-home residential settings.
Q: What should I know about Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) and my employer’s responsibilities to protect me from it?
A: COVID-19 is an Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD). California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 5199, the ATD standard, applies to employers who have employees with occupational exposure to infectious diseases that spread by inhalable particles and droplets like the COVID-19 virus. Covered employers are required to protect their employees from infection by establishing and implementing a set of written procedures. The ATD standard is unique to California. Currently there is no federal OSHA ATD standard, and no other state has a specific standard covering ATDs. Click here to view CAย state safety and health fact sheet.
Q: What should I tell my patients to manage respiratory symptoms at home?

Q: Where can I find the latest information on COVID-19?

A: To view the up-to-date statistics/cases on COVID-19 in the United States, visit the CDC official reporting site here.ย 

Q: Is there aย Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist?

A: Yes, HERE theย CDC provides a checklist for health care workers for transport and arrival of patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19

Q: Where can I find the most updated state announcements regarding COVID-19?

A: The California State Public Health Department provides updated information on COVID-19 directives for healthcare workers and patients. This website also contain informationย on:

1) COVID-19 numbers in California and county information
2) Governor’s executive orders
3) What should you do if you think you’re sick or have symptoms?
4) What if I donโ€™t have health insurance and I need screening or treatment for COVIDโ -โ 19?
5) What state programs people can use to get help during the COVID-19 emergency
6) Locations of 22 public labs to do COVID-19 tests

Q: How do I get my clinic ready for COVID-19?

A: Steps to take to prepare your clinic to protect patients and health careย workersย  are available here.

Q: I’m 65+ years old and I’ve been called into work, do I not have to stay at home?

A: Local goverments have been given more flexibility to utilize the skills of retired employees in order to carry out essential work such as the delivery of food, medicine and emergency supplies. Employers have been recommended that they should make sure offices have safe social distances among employees who continue to work there and allow many to work from home, using tele-work for as many employees as possible, with priority given to employees who are 65 and older, or have chronic health conditions, or expecting a child.ย 

Q: What can I do to take care of my emotional health?

A: It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a public health crisis. Here are some tips to take care of your emotional health: In English | En Espaรฑol

Q:ย How do I prevent and manage stress?

A: This fact sheet provides tips to help disaster response workers prevent and manage stress while on assignment. It includes strategies to help responders prepare for their assignments, take stress-reducing precautions, and manage stress in the recovery phase.

Q: How can I help my children to cope with Emergencies?

A: Children react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with a disaster calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Here are some things that you can do to help children cope with COVID-19 disaster. CDC Recommendations: In English | En Espaรฑol

Q: Can I get any financial assistance to cover my childcare expense?

A: Yes, since the Federal Governments disaster declaration have been declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will now be providing childcare assistance to anyone for 8 weeks. More information is available here.

Q: How do I create a “buddy system” for myself and someone in need?

A:ย The “buddy system” is an effective method by which a deployed staffย member shares in the responsibility for his or her partnerโ€™s safety andย well-being. View the CDC fact sheet here.

Q: Should non-citizen members be worried about the Public Charge rule in accessing COVID-19 treatment?

A: On March 14, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an alert encouraging all individuals, regardless of immigration status, with symptoms that resemble the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) i.e. fever, cough, shortness of breath, to seek necessary medical treatment or preventive services. USCIS clarified that the โ€œPublic Charge rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19.โ€ USCIS also clarified that the rule does not restrict access to vaccines for children or adults to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Moreย info isย available through USCIS here.

Q: What should I do if I am unable to work after being exposed to COVID-19?

A: Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. Click here to get started.

If you are not working because of the COVID-19 situation, be sure to inform yourself about what the policy is for your employer by going to this Memberlink or contacting your steward or internal organizer. In many cases union members have negotiated for policies and benefits that go beyond the minimum legal requirements listed below.

Q: What kind of California state benefits can I receive if I am impacted by COVID-19?

A: California state benefits include unemployment insurance, state disability insurance, worker’s compensation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave. Click here to view the benefits and to get started.

Q: What kind of federal government benefit can I receive if I am impacted by COVID-19?

A: You may be eligible for Families First Emergency Paid Sick Leave benefits and/or Emergency Family & Medical Leave benefits.

Q: What compensation can I get if I contracted COVID-19 at work?

A: You may be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits: Here is the link to the guide.

Q: What kind of benefits can I get if I am caring for a family member who is impacted by COVID-19?

A: You may be eligible for California State paid family leave or federal unpaid Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.

During the shelter-in-place orders due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), our SEIU 521 Offices remain OPEN virtually by phone and email.